DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A man accused of trespassing onto a South Florida elementary school’s campus and trying to abduct four children faced a judge Thursday.
The judge ordered 27-year-old Milor Michel be held on $400,000 bond.
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to Park Ridge Elementary School Wednesday morning after they said Michel tried to grab several students and drag them off campus.
A school’s spokesperson said students were being dropped off for school and were standing on campus by the cafeteria entrance. That’s when, they said, an unidentified man approached them and attempted to snatch them.
“The suspect actually had one child in hand and was trying to drag that child out of the parking lot,” said BSO spokesperson Joy Oglesby.
At one point, the suspect was witnessed with his hand on one of the children.
“A student saw what he was doing and told a teacher. The teacher responded, came out into the parking lot and yelled at the suspect to get away,” said Oglesby. “At this point, the suspect actually had one child in-hand and was trying to drag that child out of the parking lot.”
Once confronted by the teacher, deputies said the suspect ran from the school to the intersection of the 100 block of Southwest 15th Street, where he was eventually taken into custody.
Michel has been charged with four counts of kidnapping and false imprisonment and one count of trespassing.
The children are reportedly OK.
A father of some of the children targeted said they ran away from the accused predator.
“When strangers come around, they know what to do,” said a father about his daughters. “Thank God that they seen this guy, and they notified the staff, the office immediately. My daughters took off running because they told me that they seen the guy. He walked up to them, but they ran from him, and that’s what shattered me right there because if I would’ve been here, this probably would not have needed the police.”
The school district released a letter to parents that read in part, “Please discuss the importance of ‘stranger danger’ and ‘see something, say something’ with your child. Ensure they understand not to talk to anyone they do not know and to seek help immediately if they are in any danger.”
People like Ricky Monpoint, whose cousin and sister both go to the school, now plan on teaching the kids how to protect themselves.
“Just not to talk to nobody they don’t know and to be a little careful,” said Monpoint.
BSO deputies said Michel has trespassed onto other school campuses prior to this incident.
“As their investigation continues, they’ll be able to determine if he did something like this before,” said Oglesby.
Despite the fact Michel is now behind bars, detectives still want information on him.
If you have any information on this suspect, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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